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PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR
i.n Texas, That he understood charges would be preferred against Mr Bryant as consul, in a few days, and if I would remain in the city three days, he had no doubt that I could get the consul ship at New Orleans- I replied to Gen Green by saying that you could not give me the consulship or any other office in the Texian nation that I be- lieved you had attempted to use the patronage sacredly given to you by the constitution for the public welfare to controul and buy my support of Mr Burnet for the next presidency. The insult and indignity was so great that a reconciliation on my part was impossible. My friend Dr. Archer afterwards spoke to me. I stated to the Dr that he was at liberty to say any' thing to me that a brother might but that to reconcile my feelings to you after the insult and indignity which I considered you to have offered me would be to sacrifice my feelings and character as an officer and gentleman, he stated that he would not add another word This sir is the substance to the best of my memory of what occurred in relation to the Consulship- I mentioned to you sir in the winter of 38-39 whilst secty of the Navy of the Republic, You President, that Col Jos. White of Florida having heard me say at New Orleans in January that my friend Gen Hender- son had written to me expressing his determination to return to Texas in a short time whether he succeeded in procuring our recognition or not by any of the powers of Europe was desirous to become connected with our diplomatic affairs abroad and requested me to allow my name together with his to be offered to you as the representatives of this Government to France & England, That I had positively declined an application for such a mission on my own account, but that Col White for various reasons mentioned by him was very solicitous that I should become associated with him in an application and after my refusal on that occasion requested me to think on the subject and hoped I would change my determination when he again met me. That he would cer- tainly visit Texas very soon and he had greatly at heart a mission from Texas to France. Indeed among other gentlemen I had invited him in a note to visit this country and the main reason mentioned in the note of invitation was his kind offices to Gen Henderson whilst de- tained at Bologne on his way from London to Paris for want of pass- ports, I stated to you that I should be gratified to see you associate him with my friend Gen. H. from whom I had subsequently to my having seen Col White at New Orleans received letters saying that he would remain in France, until after Mr Saligny the examining agent of that government in this country made his report. I understood you to be disposed to see Col White associated with Gen Henderson up to the period of my informing you that Mr. Saligny stated that Col. Whites' appointment would if not defeat injure our prospects for recognition and if i recollect correctly you stated that that being the case he could not be gratified. Mr. Saligny now in this city repeatedly asked me to apply for the mission to France When. Gen H. returned- I always declined and informed him that if it was offered to me I could not accept it that my private affairs were in such a situation -that it was ruinous to me to hold office so I said to all those with whom I conversed relative to office and how it is that your mind has brought you to believe such a declaration is impossible for to Imagine. If you conceive that Col. White's having desired me to apply with him jointly for a mission and my having informed you of Col Whites'
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